55 Gallon Oddball Tank

T

TMF89

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Aug 7, 2010
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Alright guys, I've kept fish off an on for the last ten years or so, and want to get some established systems going. I have one 29 gallon saltwater I'm doing, and have an empty 55 sitting in my living room. I've looked at cichlids, but I'm worried their breeding habits/maintanence requirements will be a little too much for me. I've thought about regular tropical communities, but I want to do something a little more unique. Any ideas for specific habitats or just a stocking list of generic oddballs? I think a predator tank would be fun, but I'm not sure if a 55 is big enough, with only the 12" depth? Thanks guys!
 
TMF89 said:
Alright guys, I've kept fish off an on for the last ten years or so, and want to get some established systems going. I have one 29 gallon saltwater I'm doing, and have an empty 55 sitting in my living room. I've looked at cichlids, but I'm worried their breeding habits/maintanence requirements will be a little too much for me. I've thought about regular tropical communities, but I want to do something a little more unique. Any ideas for specific habitats or just a stocking list of generic oddballs? I think a predator tank would be fun, but I'm not sure if a 55 is big enough, with only the 12" depth? Thanks guys!
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You're right that most predator fish need bigger tanks with more water volume.... not only because they are fast swimming but because their water can easily become fouled by the high protein meaty diet.

Why is your 55G only 12" deep? Or did you mean the depth to be the same as the width and not the actual depth of the water? I know.. it's a weird way we measure tanks using the LxWxH measurements. We don't use depth because that can too easily be confused with water depth instead of the depth of the tank from front to back. Instead we use the Heighth of the tank as the number for the water depth. If your tank is actually only 12" high, then give us the other measurements since a standard 55G has 48" x 12" x 21" (give or take a 1/4").

What I would do is first find out what your tap/source water baseline parameters are and then decide on what kind of fish will do best in your water. Then maybe some suggestions could be made. Here's my article on "Find Your Tap/Source Water Baseline" http://goldlenny.blogspot.com/2007/05/find-your-tap-source-water-baseline.html
 
I meant 12" width, you're correct, lol. So I figure fish length besides eels would max out at 6-8" just so they can turn around? And I'll read into the article, do you have any suggestions depending on what my baseline is?
 
TMF89 said:
I meant 12" width, you're correct, lol. So I figure fish length besides eels would max out at 6-8" just so they can turn around? And I'll read into the article, do you have any suggestions depending on what my baseline is?
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The 6" to 8" range is OK but the guideline I use in my tank stocking article is fast swimming fish should have 8X longer tanks and slower swimming fish should have 6X longer tanks... so with a 48" tank, you could have up to an 8" slow swimmer or 6" fast swimmer. There are exceptions for fish that don't move around much.... but not many.

As far as suggestions, you need to see what your baseline numbers are like. If you have low pH, low 6's, very soft water, that would be best for certain fish. If you have high pH, high 7's or 8's, very hard water, that would be best for certain other fish. If you have neutral+/- 6.8 - 7.5, type water, then you have a bigger range of fish.
 
TMF89 said:
Alright guys, I've kept fish off an on for the last ten years or so, and want to get some established systems going. I have one 29 gallon saltwater I'm doing, and have an empty 55 sitting in my living room. I've looked at cichlids, but I'm worried their breeding habits/maintanence requirements will be a little too much for me. I've thought about regular tropical communities, but I want to do something a little more unique. Any ideas for specific habitats or just a stocking list of generic oddballs? I think a predator tank would be fun, but I'm not sure if a 55 is big enough, with only the 12" depth? Thanks guys!
Click to expand...


I would look into african oddballs. obviously it's to small for rope fish but there are plenty of others. Are you looking for bright colored fish or what? just need an idea of what you like to give better suggestions
 
Eh I'm thinking either a cichlid tank or this, so brightly colored fish would be cool, but not cichlids (I have a threat in a different forum for them, lol). Otherwise I'm not too picky, just looking for ideas. I'll check on the water quality as well.
 
So I'm thinking an African Butterfly fish, along with a few other species. I've just been looking at Live Aquaria for their fish, I won't get them online (I live too remote to ship to), but they have an excellent site for fish profiles, at least for what they have.

I'm thinking the Butterfly fish, then maybe a Cigar fish

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+836+1111&pcatid=1111

Zig Zag Eel

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+836+1025&pcatid=1025

And I'm really interested in a schooling fish, or at least a group, but I realize I need some decently sized/aggressive fish (a few cichlids?) and I was looking at these guys.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+836+1074&pcatid=1074


I know they're from all different parts of the world, but the parameters are the same. It's going to be awhile before I set this tank up anyway, so I'm in no rush.
 
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